Body encircling garments



Feb. 7, 1961 J. M. MICHEL 2,970,597

BODYENCIRCLING GARMENTS Filed May 5, 1959 IN VEN TOR.

147 7 ORA f United States Patent BODY ENCIRCLING GARMENTS JaclrMilton Michel, North Hollywood, Calif., assignor Filed May 5, 1959, Ser. No. 811,068

2 Claims. (Cl. 128-482) The present invention relates, generally, to body encircling garments, and, more particularly, to brassieres. According to the invention, there is provided a brassiere having an adjustable front closure so that it can be worn by a plurality of wearers having different body measurements and characteristics or so that it can be worn by the same wearer in conjunction with a plurality of outer garments which would normally necessitate the use of a plurality of brassieres.

More specifically, the adjustable closure of the brassiere according to the invention provides the brassiere with a plurality of closed conditions thereof correspond ing to a plurality of spacings between the breast pockets of the brassiere. Accordingly, the same brassiere can be worn by a plurality of wearers having different distances between the apexes of their breasts. Also, the same brassiere can be worn by a single wearer in combination with either a low V-neckline dress in which the brassiere is to be concealed from view and thus requires a large plunge, or in combination with an outer garment having a normal neckline in which the plunge does not necessarily have to be large.

The brassiere according to the invention is provided with a band extending outwardly of each breast pocket area and adapted to overlie the portion of the brassiere below the adjacent breast pocket. Cooperating means are provided on each band and below each breast pocket for releasably securing the two in a plurality of relative dispositions thereof, so as to provide a plurality of closed conditions of the brassiere corresponding to a plurality of interapex spacings thereof.

It is therefore an object of the present invention provide a brassiere having an improved front closure.

Another object is the provision of a brassiere having a band extending outwardly from each breast pocket area thereof and adapted to engage the portion of the brassiere below the adjacent breast pocket area, the engaging surfaces of the band and breast pocket area, respectively, being provided with releasably interengaging means.

Another object is the provision of a brassiere having a band extending outwardly from each breast pocket area thereof and adapted to engage the portion of the brassiere below the adjacent breast pocket area, the engaging surfaces of the band and breast pocket area, respectively, being provided with releasably interengaging means, said interengaging means comprising hook means on one of the surfaces and a plurality of spaced hook receiving means on the other surface.

Another object is the provision of a brassiere having a band extending outwardly from each breast pocket area thereof and adapted to engage the portion of the brassiere below the adjacent breast pocket area, the engaging surfaces of the band and breast pocket area, respectively, being provided with releasably interengaging means, said interengaging means comprising a raised pile fabric having a multitude of outwardly extending loops on one of the synthetic resin outwardly extending hook shaped sections onthe other of said surfaces, which hook shaped sections are adapted to engage said loops.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a front perspective view of the brassiere according to the invention, shown in the open condition thereof;

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view thereof in one closed condition thereof;

Fig. 3 is a front perspective view thereof in another closed condition thereof;

Fig. 4 is a section taken along the line 44 of Fig. 2, on a larger scale;

Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the brassiere according to the invention;

Fig. 6 is a section taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, on a larger scale;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the inside surface of a breast pocket construction according to the invention; and

Fig. 8 is a section taken along the line 88 of Fig. 7, on a larger scale.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Figs. 1 through 4, there is illustrated a brassiere 10 having a front closure in accordance with the invention. More particularly, brassiere 10 is provided with a front closure which is adjustable so that it can be worn by a plurality of wearers having different body measurements and characteristics, or so that it can be worn by the same wearer in conjunction with a plurality of outer garments which would normally necessitate the use of a plurality of brassieres.

Brassiere 10 is made of an elastic fabric and comprises a pair of breast cups 12 and 14, portions 16 and 18 which extend from the breast cups and which are adapted to overlie the sides of the wearer, and portion 20 which extends between side portions 16 and 18 and which is adapted to overlie the back of the wearer. Conventional adjustable shoulder straps 22 may be provided, as shown, but it will be understood that the invention is equally applicable to strapless brassieres. Brassiere 10 is provided with a pair of relatively narrow and preferably non-elastic tabs 24 and 26 which are continuous with the portions 28 and 30 of the brassiere, located be: low breast cups 12 and 14, respectively. Tabs 24, 26 may be secured to the main body portion of brassiere 10 by any suitable means such as lines of stitching 25, 27, or may be formed integrally therewith. Tabs 24 and 26 are provided along the inner surfaces thereof, and adjacent the free ends thereof with fastener elements 32 and 34, respectively. Previously mentioned portions 28 and 30 which are located below breast cups 12 and 14, respectively, are each provided with a plurality of laterally spaced narrow slits 36 and 38, respectively. An aperture 40, which may be constituted by a button hole, is provided in portion 28, in laterally spaced relation with slits 36 and between the latter and line of stitching 25. Fastener elements 32 and 34 cooperate with slits 38 and 36, respectively, to collectively define the adjustable front closure for brassiere 10, in accordance with the invention, as is hereafter fully described.

When it is desired to put the brassiere 10 on, the

h wearer simply places the latter in position around the surfaces, and a raised pile fabric having a multitude of upper torso of the body so that portion 20 overlies the back of the wearer, portions 16 and 18 overlie the sides of the wearer, and breast pockets 12 and 14 fit comfortably over the breasts of the wearer. Tab 26 is then inserted and pulled through aperture 40 so as to overlie portion 28 which contains slits 36, concomitantly disposing tab 24 in overlying relation with portion 30 which contains slits 38. Fastener elements 32 and 34 are now engaged in a selected one ofislits 38 and 36, respectively, so as to provide the wearer withthe maximum comfort. It will be apaprent that due to th'e plurality of slits pro= vided under each breast pocket the same brassiere can be used to properly fit a pluralityof wearers having different body measurements and characteristics. More specifically, the distance between the apexes of womens outer garments for which a plurality ofbrassieres would normally be required. For example, when a low-cut dress or a dress having a low V-neckline is worn, it is desirable and necessary that the brassiere be completely concealed from view, thus requiring a special brassiere having a large plunge. Such is easily obtained in brassiere10by selecting the slits nearer the adjacent stitch line, for engagement with fasteners 32 and 34, respectively. This is illustrated in Fig. 2 wherein a relatively large plunge 42 is obtained. On the other hand, when the outer garment worn does not require a large plunge the brassiere 10 may be closed in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3. Due to the elastic nature of the brassiere, the latter will fit snugly around the wearers body throughout the range of closing positions thereof. However, if desired, additional adjustable mean may be provided along back portion 20 so that the overall circumference of the brassiere can be adjusted to remain the same regardless of the particular position of the front closure defining means.

It is thus seen that the brassiere 10 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 is provided with an adjustable front closure whereby a plurality of closure positions can be obtained to impart to said brassiere a plurality of applications not heretofore obtainable with a single brassiere.

Referring now to Figs. and 6, there is shown another embodiment of a brassiere in accordance with the invention. The brassiere 50 shown therein is provided with all the novel andadvantageous features of brassiere. 10, but in addition, also constitutes an improvement over brassiere as will now be explained in great detail.

B'rassiere 50 is made of an elastic fabric and comprises a pair of breast cups 52 and 54, side portions adapted to overlie the sides of the wearer, and a back portion adapted to overlie the backofthe wearer, similarly to brassiere 10. A pair of relatively narrow and non-elastic tabs 56 and 58 are provided on brassiere 50 similarly to tabs 24 and 26 described in connection with brassiere 10. A pair of strips 60 and 62 are secured onto the inner faces of tabs 56 and 58, respectively, in any suitable manner such as along lines of stitching 64 and 66, respectively. A pair of strips 68 and 70 are secured. onto brassiere 50, below breast cups 52 and 54, respectively, by any suitable means such as lines of stitching 72 and 74, respectively. An aperture 76, which may be a button hole, is provided adjacent strip 68 laterally spaced from the outer end thereof. Strips 68 and '70 comprise a raised pile or velvet type fabric provided with outwardly extending loops 80. Strips 60 and 62 comprise a pile or velvet type fabric provided with hook shaped material engaging sections 78 which are adapted to engage loops 80 of strips 60 and 62, respectively. The material engaging sections in the raised pile in strips 60 and 62 are made of artificial or synthetic resin ma- 4 terial and hook shaped sections 78 thus retain their shapes. I

As is apparent from an inspection of Fig. 6, the superposition of a strip such as 60 or 62, having the hooked shaped sections 78, onto a strip such as strip 68 or 70 having raised loops 80, results in causing hook engaging sections 78 to engage the loops8i) of the strips 68 or 70 so that the two superposed strips will adhere together perfectly, and it is necessary to draw them away from each other with a' substantial amount of energy in orderto separate them. The superposed strips thus collectively provide the fastening means for the front closure of brassiere 50. A. mere pressure exerted on the two superposed strips against each other will provide for their secure fastening.- A somewhatconsiderable tractional stress exerted on the two strips thus fastened allows separating them when required. The structure of strips 60--62 and 68-70 described above, which defines a pair ofsurfaces which maybe made to adhere together, is described and illustrated in United States Patent No.

2,717,437, and does not form part of the present invention.

Brassiere 50, however, incorporates the adhering properties of strips 60-62 and 6870 in the front closure thereof, to provide the brassiere with improvements over the novel features and advantages previously described in connection with Figs. 1 to 4, as will now' be explained.

To put the brassiere 50 on, the wearer simply places the latter in position around the upper torso'so that breast pockets 5254'fit comfortably over the breasts of thewearer. Tab 58- is then pulled through aperture 76 so that strip 62 is in'overlying relation with strip 68, and strip 60 is concomitantly disposed in overlying relation with strip 70. The tabs 56 and 58 are now pressed against the overlying strips 68, and 70, respectively, resulting in a secure adherence of the superposed strips due to the interengagement of sections 78 and loops 80, and thereby closing the front of the brassiere. It will be apparent that the extent to which band 62 is pulled through aperture 76 will determine the spacing between the breast cups 52 and 54. Accordingly, tab 58 may be pulled through any desired amount to correspond to any desired separation between the breast cups. Thus it is seen that brassiere 50is capable of more easily performing all the functions which brassiere 10 is capable of performing. Furthermore, Whereas the number ofdifferent closing positions in brassiere 10 is governed by the number of slits, thereby limiting said number of closing positions, brassiere 50 has an unlimited number of positions, since strip 62 will adhere to strip 68 anywhere along the surface of the latter. Also, the closure in brassiere 50 is more durable than that in brassiere 10 since in any closing position of the latter, the entire stress is taken up by just one slit under each breast pocket, while on brassiere 50 there is always a substantial surface-to-surface contact between strips 62 and 68 for taking up any stresses existing during the normal wear of the brassiere. Furthermore, the closing of brassiere 50 is effectuated with considerably more ease than is the case with brassiere 10. It must be noted, however, that the primary' novel features of providing a front adjustable closure to a brassiere, while more easily and efliciently obtained in brassiere 50, are also availablein brassiere It). It will be understood that while, as described, strips 60-and 62' are provided with the hook shaped sections 78 and strips 68' and 70 are provided with loops 80, it is within the scope of the invention to provide the loops 80 on'strips 60 and 62 and the hook shaped sections 78. on strips 68 and 70. Also, a satisfactory closure would be obtained by providing each of the strips 60, 62, 68 and 70 with the hook shapedsections 78.

Referring now to Fig. 7 there is shown a brassiere which is provided with theadjustable closure described in connection with Figs. 5 and 6. Brassiere 90isalso provided with a padded breast cup construction which cooperates with the adjustable closure in the manner hereafter described. More specifically, brassiere 90 is provided with a pair of breast cups 92 (only one of which is shown). The bottom and side edges of each breast cup are defined by a curved spring steel wire 94. The breast cup proper is defined by an outer layer 96, which may be of lace-like material, and by a generally sector shaped pad 98 which is secured to outer layer 96 along a curved line of stitching 100. The apex 102 of pad 93 coincides with the apex of the breast cup, or the apex 104 of the outer lace-like layer 96. However, and as best seen in Fig. 7, the relative position of pad 98 in the breast cup 92 is such as to cause pad 93 to extend inwardly and upwardly into the breast cup. Such a construction is operative to impart to the breasts of the wearer, when the brassiere is worn, an inward and upward lift. A lift of the type just described is desirable among women having breasts whose apexes are spaced a larger distance than desired. The breast cup construction described in connection with Fig. 7 remedies such undesirable conditions. By providing in brassiere 90, in addition to the breast cup construction described above, the adjustable front closure construction of Fig. 5, it is possible to utilize brassiere 90 in a desired closed position thereof so that the breast cup construction feature cooperates with the adjustable closure feature for providing an interapex distance as desired by the wearer.

While the front closure according to the invention has been described and illustrated in connection with a brassiere, it will be understood that said front closure would be equally applicable to other body encircling garments, such as, for example, bathing suits.

While I have shown and described the preferred ernbodiments of my invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that in the illustrated embodiment certain changes in the details of construction and in the form and arrangement of parts may he made without departing from the underlying idea or principles of this invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A brassiere of the character described, comprising, a longitudinally extending member provided at the opposite ends thereof With a pair of free breast pocket defining portions, said member defining the back and sides of the brassiere and being adapted to encircle a wearers body with said breast pocket defining means being positioned at the front of the wearer, each of said breast pocket defining portions comprising a breast pocket and a securing part below the central portion of the breast pocket, one of said breast pocket defining portions being provided with an aperture adjacent to and outwardly of the securing part thereof, a short tab extending outwardly from the apertured breast pocket defining portion, and adapted to overlie the securing part of the other breast pocket defining portion, a short tab extending outwardly from said other breast pocket defining portion and adapted to be passed through said aperture and overlie the securing part of the apertured breast pocket defining portion, and cooperating means on said tabs and said securing parts, respectively, for releasably securing each tab to the underlying securing part in a selected one of an infinite number of securing positions thereof, whereby to define a front closure for said brassiere having an infinite number of closed conditions thereof, corresponding to an infinite numb-er of spacings between the breast pockets thereof, said cooperating means comprising a first strip of velvet type fabric having a multitude of outwardly extending loops provided on each tab and a second strip or" velvet type fabric having a multitude of outwardly extending hook shaped material engaging sections provided on each securing part, said hook shaped Sections being adapted to engage at least some of said loops anywhere along the longitudinal extent of said first strip .for releasably securing each tab to the underlying securing part in anyone of an infinite number of positions of the tab relative to the securing part, said loops and hook shaped sections imparting stiffness to said tabs and securing parts, respectively, for giving added support to the Wearers breasts at the lower central portion thereof.

2. A brassiere of the character described, comprising, a longitudinally extending member provided at the opposite ends thereof With a pair of free breast pocket defining portions, said member defining the back and sides of the brassiere and being adapted to encircle a Wearers body with said breast pocket defining means being positioned at the front of the wearer, each of said breast pocket defining portions comprising a breast pocket and a securing part below the central portion of the breast pocket, one of said breast pocket defining portions being provided with an aperture adjacent to and outwardly of the securing part thereof, a short tab extending outwardly from the apertured breast pocket defining portion, and adapted to overlie the securing part of the other breast pocket defining portion, a short tab extending outwardly from said other breast pocket defining portion and adapted to be passed through said aperture and overlie the securing part of the apertured breast pocket defining portion, and cooperating means on said tabs and said securing parts, respectively, for releasably securing each tab to the underlying securing part in a selected one of an infinite number of securing positions thereof, whereby to define a front closure for said brassiere having an infinite number of closed conditions thereof, corresponding to an infinite number of spacings between the breast pockets thereof, said cooperating means comprising a first strip of velvet type fabric having a multitude of outwardly extending loops provided on each securing part and a second strip of velvet type fabric having a multitude of outwardly extending hook shaped material engaging sections provided on each tab, said hook shaped sections being adapted to engage at least some of said loops anywhere along the longitudinal extent or" said first strip for releasably securing each tab to the underlying securing part in anyone of an infinite number of positions of the tab relative to the securing part, said loops and hook shaped sections imparting stiffness to said tabs and securing parts, respectively, for giving added support to the Wearers breasts at the lower central portion thereof,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,958,963 De Got May 15, 1934 2,327,488 Becker et a1. Aug. 24, 1943 2,390,465 Russo Dec. 4, 1945 2,717,437 De Mestral Sept. 13, 1955 2,762,052 Olsen Sept. 11, 1956 

